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2024 ABTA Convention

Toronto, Ontario

July 15 -17

Hotel Reservation


Hotel booking for Toronto opens for all members on January 16th, 2024. The phone number is

855-956-0776 and the email is acbl@conferencedirect.com.


The easiest way to make a reservation for Toronto is to use the link on the ACBL website at https://www.acbl.org/portfolio/july-18-28-2024/


Many of you have already requested a room at the Intercontinental Hotel (immediately adjacent to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where the ABTA Convention and NABC will be held). If you have not pre-registered for this, please call on Jan 16, 2024, to get your booking in. Tell them you are booking for ABTA. You should plan to arrive on Sunday, July 14, so you don’t miss any of the excitement!


The NABC also has a room block at the Toronto Westin Hotel and at the Sheraton Hotel.


InterContinental Toronto Centre
225 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2X3, Canada
$209 CAD + tax per night (approx. $154.00 USD + tax)


Sheraton Centre Toronto
123 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 2M9, Canada
$203 CAD + tax per night (approx. $149.00 USD + tax)


The Westin Harbour Castle
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6, Canada
$203 CAD + tax per night (approx. $149.00 USD + tax)

 

Provisional Convention Schedule


We have a  fantastic slate of speakers: John Rayner, Gavin Wolpert, Audrey Grant, David Lindop, Corey Krantz, Jeff Schuett, Matt Granovetter, Patty Tucker, Linda Tuff (Teacher of the Year 2022),  Henry Meguid (Teacher of the Year 2018), Robert Todd, Betty Starzec, and Stephanie Threlkeld.

 

Monday 15th July

10:00 am – 11:00 am             Boat Tour of Toronto Island lagoons and the Toronto waterfront*

11:30 am – 1:00 pm               Welcome lunch at Scaddabush Italian Kitchen*

2:00 pm – 2:25 pm                  Registration and check-in

2:30 pm – 5:00 pm                  Speakers

 

Tuesday 16th July
8:00 am – 9:00 am                  Continental breakfast

9:00 am – 9:10 am                  Welcome and announcements

9:10 am – 12:00 pm                Speakers

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm                Lunch

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm                  Speakers

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm                  Dinner at La Fenice Tuscan Chophouse*

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm               Princess of Wales Theatre to see Wicked*

 

Wednesday 17th July

8:00 am – 9:00 am                   Continental breakfast and Annual ABTA Membership Meeting

9:00 am – 10:00 am                Speaker

10:00 am – 10:30 am              Teacher of the Year Award Presentation

10:30 am – 12:00 pm              Speakers

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm                 Lunch

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm                    Speakers

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm                Awards and Banquet with Pro Panel

Convention Registration

Registration Dedaline is June 30, 2024

 

The ABTA Convention registration fee for ABTA members is $275 which includes the banquet dinner on Wednesday, July 17. The banquet fee for a non-member guest is ($95 USD). To invite guests for the dinner banquet, you must add them when you register for the convention as the primary registrant. If you registered and would like to add a guest later, contact Jill Wallace, The Convention Manager for assistance at gmjillian@gmail.com

Non-members can attend the convention after becoming members.  Join ABTA

All convention registration must be done online (no checks please). You Must login as a member to register.


Click to register

 

July 18-28, 2024

The North American Bridge Championships (NABC) offers an excellent chance to dive into the world of bridge and explore the best of a new city. More advanced players can play in premier events awarding platinum masterpoints; those looking for gold points will have plenty of opportunities, too. Newer players, and even absolute beginners, can learn so much. Read more . . .

www.acbl.org






2024 Convention Special Events & Entertainment

Information & Registration


Barbara Seagram & Laurie Miller have been working hard to organize entertainment for the ABTA Summer 2024 Convention.

 

It is most important that we know what you want to do (and receive your payment) NOW because we have chartered a boat and have booked Theatre tickets and the restaurants chosen are under deposit. We have committed and money is on the line so we need you to ACT NOW and send in your payment for these activities!
Also email Laurie Miller 
lauriemiller333@gmail.com so we can hold a spot for you.


Sunday 14 July, 2024

Arrive Toronto

All our entertainment is designed without the use of buses or any traffic congestion. Everything is an easy walk from the Intercontinental Hotel/Convention Centre where ABTA will take place.


Monday 15 July

10 am -11 am:  Boat Tour (a short walk from the hotel) We have chartered the whole boat just for ourselves so do come! Enjoy a one-hour boat  cruise which lets you enjoy the scenic Toronto skyline, and gives you an up close look at the beautiful Toronto Island lagoons and the Toronto waterfront. Live narration from one of the professional captains. It really is the best way to see Toronto! Avoid the traffic!


11:30 amWelcome Lunch at SCADDABUSH ITALIAN KITCHEN (Directly across the street from the hotel) 
COST for the Monday events is $70.00 CAD or $50.00 USD.

Welcome Lunch only:$50.00 CAD or $40.00 USD includes taxes and gratuity.

 

Tuesday 16 July

5:00 pm: Dinner at La Fenice Tuscan Chophouse, a short walk (10 mins) from the hotel. Three course excellent dinner directly across from the Theatre

 

7:30 pm: See “Wicked” at the Princess of Wales Theatre

The show is about two young witches: Elphaba, whose skin is green, and Glinda, who is blonde and beautiful. They dislike each other at first but soon form an unlikely bond. The musical follows them from their girlhood friendship and explains how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch and Glinda became the Good Witch. It all happens before Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

 

Wicked is very funny and engaging. It's a story about love and friendship, loyalty and betrayal, heartache and redemption. You will love the music and choreography. The pace of the musical, the dialogue and dance numbers - you really get wrapped up in all of it.


Wicked wraps up the story of Oz nicely. You don't have to be a fan of musicals or even like the Wizard of Oz movie to enjoy Wicked.

Cost of dinner and Theatre: $199.00 CAD or $155.00 USD includes taxes and gratuity.

 

Laurie and Barbara have both seen the show and even if you have, you will want to see it again and again! Toronto has an excellent reputation for Theatre and this will be and outstanding performance.


Please click the link below and complete the RSVP form and pay by etransfer in Canada, or by mail with your check. (We do not have Zelle or Venmo in Canada)

2024 Special Events RSVP form


Pedro Durao
The 2023 Master Teacher

 



Pedro Durao,  newly accredited as a Master Teacher from the American Bridge Teacher’s Association. Receiving the credentials to be called a Master Teacher is no easy feat.  Each candidate must prove to a panel of long-standing Master Teachers that they are worthy of the accreditation.  Pedro is the first European bridge teacher to receive this honor.

Pedro has shown his passion, desire, and abilities in spades.  Pedro has owned the largest bridge club in Portugal for 14 years. He was working 24/7 preparing materials, teaching inside and outside his club for large firms and at Senior Universities. 


His success shows as he built his club from 700 tables in 2004 to a peak of  4,000 tables in 2016.  When everyone was at home during the pandemic lockdown, Pedro went to work teaching bridge online. 
Not only has Pedro proven to be a quality bridge instructor, but he is also a fierce competitor.  He played for the Portugal Junior team in 1993 and 1994 and as an adult in numerous international events such as the Von ZedWitz pairs and the NABC Ross Swiss Teams.

The ABTA heartily congratulates Pedro and wishes him all the best in his future bridge endeavors.


Pedro seen above with Betty Starzec to receive his Master Teacher Pin . 

Bruce Greenspan
The 2023 Teacher of The Year



The 2023 ABTA Teacher of the Year has been active in bridge for over three decades. Originally from the Massachusetts area, he moved to Florida part-time in 2002 and became a resident in 2020.
After volunteering at the District level, Bruce now spends much of his time working with students at his
local club – promoting bridge, charities and working with new and improving players. After Hurricane Ian, Bruce and his wife Judy decided that the area needed a ‘boost’ to get people back to the club and organized and promoted the Learn Bridge in A Day class which had been cancelled. 

Here are some comments sent to us by Bruce’s students:

In all the years I have known Bruce he has passionately promoted bridge with knowledge, humor, and kindness. Recently I attended and assisted with a learn bridge in a day seminar that he was instrumental in bringing to this area to bring more people into the game that we love so much but which has seen a big loss in attendance since the pandemic. 

He has steadfastly given of his time and shared his teaching skills at our major tournaments in 
those 30 years to promote this wonderful game. I truly believe that he should be recognized for that effort and be awarded Teacher of the year.

2023 Book of the year awards

The American Bridge Teachers’ Association (ABTA) announced the winners of the 42nd annual Book of the Year contest, which recognizes excellence in instructional resources for bridge players and teachers of all levels. Awards were presented at the ABTA national convention in Chicago, on July 13.

Winner in the Advancing Beginner category was Step by Step: Playing Notrump Contracts (Master Point Press) by Robert Berthe and Norbert Lébely. Translated from French, the book teaches declarer play by involving the reader in a series of questions and answers about example deals and practice problems.
Top-rated runners-up in the Advancing Beginner category were: Step by Step: Playing Suit Contracts (Master Point Press) by Robert Berthe and Norbert Lébely.
Suit Preference: The Abused and Misused Signal (Author House) by Dr. James Sternberg and Danny Kleinman.

Winner in the Intermediate category was Twelve Important Bridge Lessons on Declarer Play (Master Point Press) by David Bird. The book focuses on common card-play techniques, offering illustrative deals, play problems and recap questions and answers.
Top-rated runners-up in the Intermediate category were:
Active or Passive? A Guide to Being a Better Defender (Author House) by Dr. James Sternberg.
Trump Promotion: The Uppercut (Author House) by Dr. James Sternberg.
Let’s Play Some Bridge (Master Point Press) by Frank Stewart.

Winner in the Intermediate/Advanced category was Insights on Bridge: Bid, Play and Defend (Baron Barclay) by Mike Lawrence. This is the third installment -- and third Book of the Year Award -- for the author’s Insights on Bridge Series, which features practical tips and mini-lessons for advancing players.
Top-rated runners-up in the Intermediate/Advanced category were:
Better Declarer Play: Combining Your Chances (Master Point Press) by Danny Roth.
Sublime Declarer Play: After the Contested Auction (Master Point Press) by Nick Smith.

ABTA is now accepting submissions for its 2024 awards, which will be announced next July. Eligible works are books as well as other media, including instructional podcasts, video lessons, webinars and software. Authors or publishers wishing to enter new titles can get more information by sending email to bookoftheyear@abtahome.com . The submission deadline is May 1, 2024.


ABTA Book Of The Year Committee members are Jeff Bayone, Sam Marks, Henry Meguid, Brenda Montague and Karen Walker (chair). 

BOY23MPP
Sally Sparrow of Master Point Press accepting the awards for the Advancing Beginner and Intermediate categories from Brenda Montague.  

Mary Maeir
Mary Maier of Baron Barclay accepting the award for the Advanced book category from Brenda Montague. 

The Winner of the 2023 Apple Basket Award


Brenda Montague announced the top three winners of the 2023 Apple Basket Award:

First place

1NT Responses by Girish Bijoor

Second place

How Disappointed Will You Be if Partner Passes your Invitational Bid? by Kathy Rolfe

Tied for third place

Work on a Game Where You are Not an Expert by Larry Cohen
Activity Using ACBL E/Z Deal Cards for Review by Enid Roitman
Everything You Need to Know About Bridge Bidding in One Poem by Sally Ann Rhea

2023 Apple Basket Tips

Teachers' Round tables & Panel- A greast Success!



This year, many members submitted topics for our newly added teachers' round tables and various questions for a Teacher Panel. Each group met for one hour with a facilitator to brainstorm ideas and solutions, followed by a 90-minute debrief session to share with the entire group. 

  1. Adam Parrish – What would a standard ABTA curriculum look like
  2. Jill Wallace - Classes are over; how do we keep them? round table notes
  3. Sally Sassen – How do we attract people back to our clubs from playing online? Ideas and challenges.
  4. Martha Ehrenfeld – Marketing and recruiting teen/young adult players to learn the game and join clubs. round table notes

The convention survey showed that these two additions were well received because they enabled teachers to share ideas and solutions to many of the post-pandemic challenges we face.

 

Teacher Panel - Betty Starzec, Mo Jo, Patty Tucker, Amy Nellissen, and Barbara Seagram. 

Linda Tuff is The 2022 ABTA
Teacher of The Year





Watch Linda's video lesson

Read more about Linda Tuff

The 2022 Master Teachers

Master Teachers 2022

Linda Green,  Morris Jones "Mojo", Sally Ann Rhea, and Buck Buchanan

The 2022 Apple Basket Winner
Apple Basket winner 2022
1st  Place    Terry Jones


            2nd  PLACE            Sydney Reuben
     3rd PLACE (Tie)   Pedro Durao
                                              Sharon Carter
                                                  David Libchaber
                                              Kathie McNab
                                            Enid   Roitman




ABTA 2022 CONVENTION VIDEOS

 

  1. Robert Todd -  "Using digital tools to supplement in-person teaching" Click to view
  2. Adam Parrish - "Teaching the next generation of A players" Click to view
  3. Audrey Grant - "New initiatives from Better Bridge"  Click to view
  4. Dr. Samantha Punch - “Bridge research in schools: Promoting Mindsport Education" from the University of Stirling U.K." Click to view
  5. Patty Tucker - "Success Through Visualization" Click to view. Download  Patty Tucker Visualization (A) and Patty Tucker Visualization (B) files
  6. Larry Cohen - "What not to teach" Click to view

 

2022 Book Of The Year Awards

Winner in the Intermediate category was Play It Safe (Master Point Press)
by Barbara Seagram and David Bird.
Winner in the Advanced Intermediate category was Parrish the Thought: Volume 1 (Bridgewinners Press)
by Adam Parrish.

Winner in the Advanced category was Test Your Bridge Judgment (Bridge Winners Press)
by Barry Rigal.


Two groups of multiple titles were also recognized for excellence. Named Outstanding Collection – Intermediate was Bridge Cardplay: An Easy Guide (Master Point Press)
by David Bird and Marc Smith.
Outstanding Collection – Advanced Intermediate was won by Dr. James Marsh Sternberg and Danny Kleinman for ten books published in the past year (AuthorHouse Publishing).

2021 ABTA BOOK OF THE YEAR & Technology AWARDS


The American Bridge Teachers’ Association (ABTA) has announced winners in its 40th annual Book of the Year contest, which recognizes excellence in instructional books for bridge players of all levels.

In the beginner/novice category, the winner of the 2021 ABTA Shirley Silverman Book of the Year Award was Larry Teaches Modern Bidding, Volumes 1, 2 & 3 (Bridge with Larry Cohen) by Larry Cohen. The latest in the “Larry Teaches” series, these three manuals focus on the basics of opening bids, responses, first rebids and competitive auctions.

Runner-up in the beginner/novice category was Building Bridges (Student manual & facilitator guide) by Jeanne Wamack.


The winner in the intermediate category was Barbara’s Bridge Tips (Master Point Press) by Barbara Seagram. Winner of multiple ABTA awards, Seagram offers concise, practical advice and examples designed to help players advance their games. 


Runners-up in the intermediate category were Coming Back to Bridge (Master Point Press) by Paul Goldfinger and Winning at Matchpoints (Master Point Press) by Bill Treble.


Winner in the advanced category was Two-over-One Game Force: The Final Word (Trafford Publishing) by Neil Timm. This 630-page volume is a detailed discussion of the popular 2-over-1 bidding system, complete with recommended conventions and many new ideas.

Runners-up in the advanced category were Masterpiece Deals (HNB Publishing) by Augie Boehm and Useful Probability for Bridge Players (Masterpoint Press)by Julian Laderman.


Winner in the technology category was Shark Bridge Teacher’s Console, a full-featured online teaching tool from Milen Milkovski. Runner-up was Tricky Bridge by Scott Hoffer.

ABTA Award Committee members were Sam Marks, Henry Meguid, Brenda Montague, Jeff Schuett and Karen Walker (chair).


ABTA is now accepting submissions for its 2022 awards, which will be announced next July. Authors or publishers wishing to enter new works in any of the above categories can get more information by emailing the Awards Committee chair, Karen Walker at bookoftheyear@abtahome.com 


The submission deadline is May 1, 2022.


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